Ask a few learners in South Australia how they got their P plates, and you’ll hear two different stories. Some sat for a test. Others ticked off a logbook with their instructor. Same finish line, very different trip. At Tokhi Driving Solutions, we help you find the pathway that fits you best. Here’s VORT vs CBT&A explained, the way we’d say it over a cup of tea.
What Is the VORT, Really?
Imagine this is the driving test. You book a drive with an approved examiner, and it’s never the instructor you’ve been learning with. They watch how you do things like change lanes, negotiate roundabouts and read road signs. The test runs for about 45 minutes and includes five slow-speed manoeuvres: a hill start, angle park, U-turn, 3-point turn and reverse parallel park.
Here’s the part that trips people up. You need 90 percent to pass, and breaking any road rule is an instant fail. Fail, and you’ll wait at least 14 days before you can sit it again. According to the RAA, around 45 percent of SA learners fail their first attempt, so it’s worth being properly ready.
Before you can book, you’ll need at least 75 hours of supervised driving, including 15 hours at night.
What Is CBT&A?
CBT&A is short for Competency Based Training and Assessment, but most people simply call it “the logbook”. There’s no big test at the end. Your instructor signs you off on 30 individual tasks, including country driving, as you complete each one. Many people call it the CBT driving test, but it’s more like coursework.
It’s a marathon, not a sprint, with no deadline to stress about, which is nice. The catch is that not every instructor offers CBT&A, and those who do are often booked out for months. You’ll still need your 75 supervised hours too.
VORT vs CBT&A Explained: At a Glance
Typing “VORT vs CBT&A” into Google? You’re probably wondering which one’s easier. Honestly, that depends on you.
| Feature | VORT | CBT&A |
| Assessed by | An approved examiner | Your instructor |
| Pace | Set by test date | Your own pace |
| If you slip up | Test ends, wait 14 days | Assessed task by task |
| Booking | Approved examiner | Qualified CBT&A instructor |
| Lessons | Often fewer | Usually more |
Who Suits the VORT?
- Confident drivers. It can be a quick, fairly affordable way through.
- Target chasers. A fixed date keeps you focused.
- Cool heads. One drive, one examiner, no safety net.
- Planners. Book lessons around three months before your test.
Who Suits CBT&A?
- Nervous test-takers. No exam conditions to wrestle with.
- Structure lovers. Regular, guided practice builds confidence.
- Slow and steady types. There’s no clock to beat.
- Patient bookers. Ask about instructor availability early.
Don’t Skip Lessons Either Way
Here’s the thing that matters more than the label. SA’s MyLicence service says P-platers have around three times the risk of a crash that injures or kills someone, and the first few months are the riskiest. Even with 75 hours as a learner, new drivers are still building their skills. That’s why time behind the wheel before your P plates counts.
Could you pass the VORT without lessons? Technically, yes. Unlikely, though. And either way, you’ll still log your supervised hours and pass the Hazard Perception Test before your P1.
Big Change Coming in 2027
This is worth knowing before you plan. The South Australian Government is reforming driver training. Under its plan, a single new practical driving test run by government examiners will replace both the logbook method and the VORT for car licences. Licensed instructors will continue to teach lessons, and the reforms are expected to be implemented in 2027.
Until then, VORT and CBT&A remain your two options. If you’re a learner now, ask us which pathway makes sense for your timing, and check MyLicence for the latest dates before you book anything.
Still Not Sure? Talk It Through With Tokhi Driving Solutions
Ask yourself three honest questions. How well do I drive? How do I cope when someone’s marking me? And how soon do I want those P plates? If the answers don’t point one way, have a chat with us. Ask whether you’re ready for the VORT, and check availability early, especially for the logbook.
So, Which One Should You Pick?
There’s no winner here, just a better fit for you. If you drive confidently and want it done quickly, the VORT will probably feel right. If a test makes your palms sweat, the logbook gives you room to breathe. That’s VORT vs CBT&A explained at its simplest. When you’re ready for the next step, call us, be upfront about where you’re at, and we’ll help you work out the best way forward.
